In a startling turn of events, the enchanting world of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is facing a legal storm as a woman takes on the colossal empire, alleging life-altering injuries resulting from an unimaginable incident at Typhoon Lagoon waterpark in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Emma McGuinness, a 33-year-old woman, alongside her partner Edward McGuinness, is seeking $50,000 in damages from Walt Disney World for an incident that unfolded in October 2019 during a visit to celebrate Emma’s 30th birthday.
The ordeal occurred at the Humunga Kowabunga waterslide, a 214-foot plunge through a dark, enclosed body slide known for its surprising climax.
However, the surprise awaiting Emma at the end of the slide was far from joyful. According to the recently filed lawsuit obtained by Law & Crime, Emma “became airborne” near the slide’s end, propelling her downward against it, leading to an injury that defies belief.
The shocking collision caused Emma’s clothing to be painfully forced between her legs, and water was violently forced inside her. As she stood up, blood began rushing from between her legs, outlining the immediate and severe pain she experienced internally.
Crucially, Emma was wearing a full-coverage one-piece swimsuit and had assumed the appropriate position for the slide, with her legs crossed at the ankles. Despite these precautions, the lawsuit alleges that this did not eliminate the potential danger.
The lawsuit points out a disconcerting aspect of the slide’s design, stating that when a rider reaches the bottom and enters the pool of water designed to stop further travel, the force of the water can push loose garments into a person’s anatomy – an event known as a ‘wedgie.’ Due to a woman’s anatomy, the risk of a painful ‘wedgie’ is more common and more serious than it is for a man.
Following the traumatic incident, Emma McGuinness was immediately taken to a local hospital for treatment. She was later transferred to another hospital, where a specialist repaired her gynecologic injuries. The extent of her injuries is staggering, including severe lacerations to her private area, a full-thickness laceration causing her bowel to protrude through her abdominal wall, and harm to her internal organs.
In their lawsuit, the couple contends that the slide is “unsafe and unreasonably dangerous,” holding Disney responsible for the negligent design of this attraction. This shocking incident has cast a shadow over the world of entertainment, serving as a reminder that even the most magical places can hide unimaginable dangers. As the legal battle unfolds, it raises questions about the safety standards of beloved attractions in the realm of amusement parks.
